Tuesday, October 14, 2014

"Escaping Paris" - Blek le Rat Exhibits at The Quin Hotel in NYC!

Last week, The Quin Hotel and The Quin Arts program welcomed Blek le Rat as their artist in residence this fall with an exhibit titled "Escaping Paris." The show that will run throughout the fall is curated by DK Johnston and features large-scale original paintings and an edition of 25 unique multiples and lithography the artist is creating at the New York Academy of Art during his visit. This exhibit of monotypes and lithography is the result of the artist's collaboration with the team at NYAA.

Xavier Proua.k.a. Blek le Rat is the originator of the stencil graffiti movement beginning long before Banksy in Paris in the early 1980's. People often say that he is "the man that gave birth to Banksy or the godfather of the stencil art movement." The rat, a symbol of the persistent spread of street art and an anagram for the word art, is an apt marker for the influential artist. Inspired by the early graffiti of the 1970s in New York City, particularly the work of TAKI 183 and UK transplant Richard Hamilton, Prou's iconic work rapidly spread throughout Paris and Europe. Blek le Rat is celebrated globally and is credited for having paved the way for street artists such as Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Kaws and many more.Today, he has repeatedly expressed his preference for the streets over galleries, maintaining that it is the ethical and social obligation of an artist to connect with as many people as possible. That was evident at his exhibit, continuously interacting with many fans at the Hotel. It was a perfect setting as art has long been a fundamental aesthetic and element of The Quin, sharing the experience of art with their guests and local visitors.

You can view the exhibit and also find a new Blek le Rats stencil just outside the hotel's entrance (an image of "Andy Warhol") on 57th Street near Sixth Avenue. Stop in and have a look around at the beautiful show and also visit Little Italy around Mulberry and Hester for more Blek brought to us by The L.I.S.A. Project. We hope he will be back visiting our city again very soon!

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Welcome to le blog where I document, report and write on street art, graffiti, contemporary and art / fashion mixes from New York City, NY. Join me as I visit the streets, walls and the galleries reporting on the latest art happenings in great depth.
If you are an graffiti or street artist with new walls going up and would like a feature please email me at valentestyle@gmail.com as soon in advance as possible. I will also document with my #instantartexposure photography project in full force - 15 months, 350 pics and counting - be a part of it!
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